Netherlands star names 3 Scotland Premier League rivals who have impressed him most as Ronald Koeman reveals birthday wish

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman celebrated his 61st birthday - but says the present he really wants is the Euro 2024 trophy, writes Scott McDermott in Amsterdam.

The Dutch gaffer is gearing up for Friday's friendly match against Scotland in Amsterdam. At the KNVB camp, the players sang Happy Birthday and presented him with a hat as a gift. Koeman insists the clash with Steve Clarke’s side will be vital ahead of going to Germany this summer. And with the Dutch one of the tournament favourites, he admits he’d love to win it.

Koeman, who hailed the Scots’ spirit before the bounce game at the Johan Cruyff Arena, said: “The players sang to me and gave me a nice cap. They obviously think I’m at an age when I need to keep my head warm! But if I could have a perfect late present it would be the Euros on July 14. We have Scotland and then Germany next and we’ll think about each game in their own right.

“Scotland were in a qualifying group with Spain. They beat them and they fought for first place right to the end. I know all about them and I know their mentality. They love to fight on the pitch. I don’t like to talk about individual players but I was impressed with Scotland in the qualifiers. When they fight, they get the support of their fans, which is a powerful combination.

“They’re an interesting team who can play different systems – they might start with five at the back, they might go 4-3-3. But whatever they do, they adapt and they do it well. They are a unit but within that, they have some excellent individual players who perform at a high level in the Premier League.”

Dutch ace Nathan Ake was also full of praise for Scotland having played against several of Clarke’s players in England’s top flight this season. The